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To determine if the FAST exam improves care among hemodynamically stable children with blunt torso trauma, investigators randomized children presenting to a single pediatric emergency department (ED) within 24 hours to receive standard trauma care with or without the FAST exam.
Of 925 children (mean age, 10 years) enrolled over 3 years, 50 (5%) were diagnosed with intraabdominal injuries, including 40 with intraperitoneal fluid on abdominal computed tomography (CT); 9 patients (1%) underwent laparotomy. Of 19 patients in the FAST group with intraabdominal injuries and intraperitoneal fluid on CT, bedside FAST exams were interpreted by the emergency physician as positive for free fluid in 5, negative in 10, and indeterminate in 4.
There was no…